A New Species of Synodontis (Mochokidae) from the Congo River Basin with Notes on Its Ecological Adaptations

Abstract

A new species of Synodontis (family Mochokidae) is described from the Congo River Basin, thus increasing the known diversity of this well-known group of catfish. These field-collected specimens with morphological traits, including specific fin ray counts, body proportions and colouration patterns, were used to define a new species using molecular data. This work is also valuable to understanding the species' natural behaviours within the complex river habitats. Some of the noteworthy conclusions are that Arthur proactively associated with the vibrant, energetic environments of the Congo River through specific adaptations to feeding mechanics, haptic touch organs for impedance sensing for navigation during high suspended turbidity, and hydrology-optimized morphological characteristics of its body parts for reduced pressure drag and larger surface area of the body for better substratum attachment. These features, however, are considered concerning hydrologic and ecological characteristics of the Congo River System, influencing high rates of speciation and endemism. This research mobilizes the conservation of a region with a high concentration of species: the Congo River Basin, threatened by rising pressures of habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing. This new Synodontis species shows how further research and conservation efforts in the basin are critical to preserve the area's primarily uninvestigated diverse water sources.